Deseret News | Reader comments: Letter asks Bush to help FLDS kids

Reader comments
Letter asks Bush to help FLDS kids

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Time will Tell | 1:27 a.m. May 11, 2008

Now all Americans hold their Breaths and wait, we will see if our President has a Spine?

aardvark | 4:53 a.m. May 11, 2008

Child abusers and statutory rapists do not deserve sympathy. They should be in prison and their children hustled off to safety.

Anonymous | 4:54 a.m. May 11, 2008

I can't imaginae any Deseret News readers being in favor of 14-olds being impregnated by older men. But when are the Texas Rangers going to raid the Dallas inner-city homes of pregnant 14-year-olds and cart off the other children, who might be subject to similar abuse? And when will they shutter the Planned Parenthood locations which refuse to report statutory rape of 14-year-olds by men in their twenties? Why isn't there equal treatment under Texas' law?

The locals in Eldorado were worried about the FLDS taking over the county, so State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran sponsored a bill in 2005 that raised the legal age of consent to marry in Texas from 14 to 16. This was specifically targeted against the FLDS. When the FLDS moved to Texas the legal age was 14.

Prosecute any individuals who fathered children with girls below the legal age (at the time) - but let the Mothers (on Mother's Day) have their children returned to them.

Comments continue below

just thinking II | 5:07 a.m. May 11, 2008

I remember the last appeal to the president his reply was your cause is just but I can do nothing for you. I do not expect any more from this president. he is not going to embarase the state of texass.

Interesting | 6:39 a.m. May 11, 2008

For people who shun the outside world because we are all evil, they seem to have no problem asking for help from the government when they think that they have been "done wrong". I read somewhere where they have a saying "Bleed the Beast until You Need the Beast". These people have such double standards in many ways of their lifestyles, such as "Lying for the Lord" or"Stealing for the Lord". I guess that if you tack on some kind of reference to "The Lord" that they can justify why they do what they do. To me, a con artist is a con artist.

Robin Wildflower | 6:54 a.m. May 11, 2008

I read the letter at the website.

I am so very glad to know it was delivered and received in respect.

Hopefully, since the official flds website is mentioned in this article I can mention this.

It truly does apply as a "comment" from me - concerning all this.

If you haven't already done this - please do.

At captivefldschildren.org website - click on "Music".
Then pick "Meant To Be Together"(the first one - as the second is just the music).

This song is so very very beautiful. (The others are good also.)

Perhaps - what with this being Mother's Day - we could all listen - really listen - to this beautiful song.

Maybe. . .say some special prayers for these mothers and children who are in such pain today...
(as well as the innocent fathers).

Remembering. That the state is - NOT NOW - nor will it ever be - a "parent".
It will never even come remotely close.

Amazed | 7:06 a.m. May 11, 2008

How dare these people draw attention to themselves and away from the bride and groom and their parents. It is one thing to send a letter to the President asking for help to the Whitehouse, which is where this should have gone, but it is completely another to go to the residence on a very private occassion and "crash" it to make a point. Do they think that the letter got read by the President last night as he was dancing with his daughter? No, it will more than likely be read when he returns to work on Monday morning. I would hope that the staff who took the letter would not disturb the family.

Also, the custody case is not about "terrorism on the US soil" it is about child abuse.

Moters Day | 7:08 a.m. May 11, 2008

Hoe terrible these Mothers have to spend this day without the children they love.

Mothers Day Gift from Texas | 7:13 a.m. May 11, 2008

Thank you Texas for taking the children from the parents that love them.
How could you do this check your own back yard first.

Freddie | 7:31 a.m. May 11, 2008

***Now all Americans hold their Breaths and wait, we will see if our President has a Spine?***

They shoulda handed the note to the US Supreme court. This involves violations of Constitutionally guaranteed human rights. And where's Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when you need them? Oh, wait. This is not a black issue. 'Sides, Sharpton is busy battling the IRS over unpaid taxes.

betty | 7:59 a.m. May 11, 2008

a true mother would have not let the men in this cult treat their children the way they have. they are not mothers, just baby machines for pedofiles.

Observer | 8:01 a.m. May 11, 2008

Ever since this charade began, I have wondered when Texas would be willing to go into every inner-city in Texas and remove the children born to "unwed" mothers who were underage. But rather than protect those children, they allow the young mothers to have live-in boy friends who frequently abuse the young children and some even end up killing them because they don't have the love or self-discipline to control themselves.

I whole heartedly agree witn Anonymous on this issue. But then, the inner-city problem isn't religious, so Texas will ignore it, even when the situation is a blight on the community.

J-Man | 8:25 a.m. May 11, 2008

Who in the world is Willie Jessop? Where the heck is Merril Jessop? Isn't he the acting FLDS prophet? He finally got the job he coveted so much, but has been a mushroom ever since. That's quality leadership...

To Amazed | 8:46 a.m. May 11, 2008

I too agree with your comments. Just one more example of how these people try to redirect the attention away from the sickening beliefs that they are taught by their prophets. My heart does not bleed for these people. They bought the ranch by using deception from the start. If they were truly what they claim to be, they would have been upfront from the start. They brought all of this on themselves by their blatent lying, sneaking around etc. People on here keep posting about how vindictive the people are who were thrown out of this cult. Seems to me that there are an awful lot of them telling their stories. Too many of them for me to not believe that most of what they are telling is true. The fact that there prophet is in jail does not help their cause any.

inner-city deflections | 8:49 a.m. May 11, 2008

To Observer and Anonymous,
What you are doing is deflecting the issues of the FLDS by presenting an argument about something unrelated, teenage girls having consensual sex with other teens and giving birth to children.

The FLDS situation is much more dire, with young girls brainwashed from birth to believe they are to be given as 'virgins' to a much older man as his 'spiritual wife'. I would much rather see people deal with breaking up the practices of this religion, as they violate the laws of the land in many ways (verbal, mental, physical and sexual abuse, among others) than to worry about teenage girls in inner cities who likely have a choice whether to have sexual relations, get pregnant, and have children.

Let's keep the focus on the matter at hand, which is determining if the children of the FLDS were at risk of the types of abuse mentioned above, and the FLDS making a statement or going on record that they will not promote marrying young girls off to much older men, in violation of the law, would help them in court when trying to regain custody of their children.

CPS not logical | 8:58 a.m. May 11, 2008

If CPS justifies their mass round up because children live in a dangerous believe system. Then why didnï¿½t they use this argue in the first place? Why use a hoax phone call then say evidence found afterward justifies the raid. With all the FLDS news over the past years, surely this ï¿½believe systemï¿½ was known well before the raid and not discovered during. Texas constitution bill of rights states ï¿½no human authority ought, in any case whatever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religionï¿½. Ones ï¿½belief systemï¿½ remains just as unjustifiable before a child round up as it does after a child round up. If CPS had a badge Iï¿½m sure it would be very shinny. CPS needs to focus their efforts on the alleged perpetrators - not mass round ups.

To interesting: | 9:31 a.m. May 11, 2008

Yours was one of the best comments I have read to date. I think you really hit the nail on the head.

I Man Fraidddd.... | 9:37 a.m. May 11, 2008

Can't blame Willie for trying. At this point they have to be advocates for their side of things.

Since a state gov't entity has already responded to the situation and the courts are pursuing the matter, the Prez needs to stay away. The CPS has facts that point to abuse so the FLDS is stuck with the eventual decision of the court.

Shunning the outside world is now haunting them. Little or no public support.

Willie is afraid they'll mootball the compound. Can't see the court sending the young girls back to that enclosed communial living.

Larryc206 | 9:46 a.m. May 11, 2008

I'm very glad that Texas found these children and carried them off to safe places. That FLDS "religion" -- a community where everyone adheres to the same rules handed down by their "prophet"-- and are completely loyal to him, so much that they will permit their underage girls be "married" to older men, is not a religion that upholds marriage of one man to one woman. I'm very sorry that the FLDS "religion" exists in the first place, but those folks must conform to Texas law like everyone else in that state.
Different from the underage unwed mothers in Dallas and other cities, these FLDS folks were flagrant in their abuse of young boys and girls.
More power to the Texas authorities in protecting children.

Hopefully Bush won't be anti-LDS | 9:50 a.m. May 11, 2008

Hopefully this won't mean that Bush will say something about the FLDS which ties it to the LDS church.

Our president tends to have a very interesting vocabulary and way of forming sentences.

He has made fun of Utah not having any 'Blacks' before. This was upsetting enough.

Anonymous | 9:50 a.m. May 11, 2008

I think praying really hard might get it taken care of faster than asking Bush for help.

Jan | 9:56 a.m. May 11, 2008

Mother's Day is not a holiday recognized within the FLDS community. The only recgnized holiday is the birthday of the prophet (April 4). Pleas to reunite the children and their mothers because of Mother's Day is a blatant manipulation of the sympathies of the Amreican public.

Yellow Rose of Texas | 10:04 a.m. May 11, 2008

President Bush is not anti LDS. He has former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt close and near to him within the white house. However, I'm certain the President is smart enough to see through the whole FLDS cultist malarkey.

I'm certain there are a few innocent people in FLDS who don't deserve the treatment they are getting, because of what their EVIL leaders have done. The Texas authorities will need to weed out the evil.

memikeyounot | 10:06 a.m. May 11, 2008

People in New Orleans are still waiting for help from Bush after nearly 3 years after Katrina. Why do the polygs think he will possibly do anything for them? There's no money in it for him and his friends.

Shun | 10:07 a.m. May 11, 2008

Ask yourself when the FLDS decided to "shun" themselves. It seems that it all began after the Short Creek took place. Before that the people dressed in time appropriate clothing. They also TOLD the truth regarding their marital status and paternity. How was that rewarded? With jail time and we now wonder why they react as they do? It really should not come as much of a surprise.

Too Funny | 10:08 a.m. May 11, 2008

The FLDS folks claim the raid on their compound was unconstitutional, so they handed a letter to the the president whose legacy is ignoring the constitution.

You folks might wanna rethink your game plan.

Re: memikeyounot | 10:33 a.m. May 11, 2008

Sure, billions of dollars is no help. And people accuse the FLDS of ignoring the world?

Bruce | 10:34 a.m. May 11, 2008

After researching various sites it appears that public sentiment is indeed swaying pro-FLDS due to the violations of due process, and the realization that if this is allowed to prevail...no one's rights need be respected anymore.
In my 52 years I have never seen an individual actually get a letter in the hands of the president like that before. I must admit, that was pretty clever. How many causes hold up signs, send petitions, etc.? that are never acknowledged?
That was pretty good strategy on Mr. Jessop's part. I suppose that no one told him that was impossible. Now it's public knowledge that it was received, there has to be a response.
Whether the response is positive or negative really doesn't matter. It brings their cause more in the public eye and makes the news media appear more and more full of it.

Anon.E. Mouse | 11:01 a.m. May 11, 2008

The best line in that article was "they said they'd get back to them". LOL I hope they don't hold their breath on that one. That line's right up there with "The check's in the mail". I have no doubt no one even mentioned to Dubya that they stopped by or even showed him the letter. And we know he doesn't read the newspaper - he may not even know there was a raid. LOL. I wouldn't be surprised if the Secret Service was none too pleased to have these inbred yayhoos living two hundred miles from Bush's ranch anyways.

Gal50 | 11:01 a.m. May 11, 2008

To all those suspected of committing felonies:

1) Don't establish grandiose beliefs that your president or governor or former governor are going to overlook their political best interests and your felonies in order to rescue you from the court system or any other government system.

2) Don't expect the media or the public to rescue you from your plight by peddling your biased viewpoint to the world.

3) Don't expect to get away with criminal behavior (alleged at this point) by establishing a system of secrecy ie. a lookout, a wall and/or an obscure location.

4) When a state prosecutes less than 1% of your criminal acts, don't think you're going to get a better deal in a state known for law and order.

5) Do expect the unexpected and that you can't out trick the government. Don't publish letters attacking the government when it is deciding your fate.

6) Do cooperate with the legal system because it holds power over you and your life. Realize that not cooperating with the system such as not stating your correct name or attempting to go around the system such as writing the president will not play well.

Nice try! | 11:09 a.m. May 11, 2008

Why doesn't Texas go after rapist in Dallas who have had sex with underage girls?

If we thought your way: the police shouldn't arrest a robber because there are robbers the police aren't arresting? Utah should arrest adults selling alcohol to minors because they have other adults supplying minors with alcohol Utah hasn't arrested.

To JMAN | 11:15 a.m. May 11, 2008

Supposedly most of the men have left the compound due to the probability of prosecution. Someone in the FLDS leadership has sent out new men to manage the compound. Maybe this is why Merrill has become Willie. In reading all the letters, it appears to me that Willie writes a lot better than Merrill.

Willie's letter is very troublesome. He should be taking advice from his attorney who no doubt would tell him to be quiet. Writing the President about a situation, which appears to involve future felony charges, may be emotionally satisfying, but isn't going accomplish anything beneficial. Is the court, which holds the power in this case, going to be happy that the FLDS is appealing to the executive branch of the government to intervene? The letter contains vicious attacks on the government, which can't help matters.

FLDS men are cowards! | 11:20 a.m. May 11, 2008

FLDS men are cowards! And need to be put in jail.

For freedom of religion | 11:33 a.m. May 11, 2008

You are the coward for not standing up for one of given and fought for rights. The right to practice a religion as we want. I am not FLDS but live among them. Just like in any society there are people that reject laws, but believe me more people in this area are honest and law abiding than anypart of the country I lived in. And I spent 25 years in Texas. From Centennial Park Arizona

Sandy & Family | 12:02 p.m. May 11, 2008

I am so glad all of you lived on this ranch yourself and know that everything the media is lying about is the truth. I don't want to burst your bubbles but the media is only there to sell a story and entertain wild imaginations and ACCUSATIONS. I would like to remind all that no proof has been given for any of the allegations mentioned in the media or by the state. You or I know not what goes on behind those gates, you just assume that it is bad because you don't like the lifestyle. Also may I remind you these men only have one legal wife. So in reality they have not even broken that law. We need to take all of the kids from anybody who has a lifestyle or set of beliefs contrary to state programming, as you all like to call their religion,if this action is right and legal. Wake up your lifestyle or religion could be hit next!!!!!!!

FLDS men are cowards | 12:07 p.m. May 11, 2008

To--- For Freedom of religion

What in the never mind are you talking about? My ancestors fought for freedom. And to have slaves freed from slavery. They certainly weren't supporters of slavery and child rapes, and that is all the FLDS church is about. Its terrible and horrible to say it's all done in the name of God. That is totally offensive!

TheMadNuker | 12:45 p.m. May 11, 2008

I doubt that GW will do anything, he won't even see to the release of two innocent border patrol officers,sitting in prison. P.S. To FLDS men are
cowards; you need to stand on your own deeds,not what your forebears did. Also don't try to sound so indignant,about a people you probably have no knowledge of. The vehemence displayed in many of the posts speak more of your own inner souls than any of the facts about this issue, as they come to be known.

Gods Will | 12:49 p.m. May 11, 2008

Maybe the YFZ raid was God's will! Uncle Warren preached that god would deliver the righteous and punish the unfaithful and false prophets. In jail, Uncle Warren confessed that he had not held priesthood and was a wicked man. Then in the eyes of God, he renegged on his honest felt confession!

Could it be, that it was God who allowed the Eldorado Texas YFZ ranch raid, using a caller that wasn't even real, to punish our Uncle Warren for lying to god? Then what punishment will follow us as a righteous people following a prophet in defiance of God almighty? Will there be raids in Arizona and Utah, and can Warren still save us, by confessing his sins again in earnest, without changing his mind, when god has not!

Woe is the faithful, if more trouble occurs. Righteous we were under Gods protection, under Warren he was imprisonned and YFZ may be only the first of our penalties for trusting a false prophet.

Willie vs William Jessop | 12:56 p.m. May 11, 2008

We often confuse the two, William Timpson Jessop was the man Warren trusted to take his place, Willie Jessop over weight and at YFZ ranch is that over weight bodyguard, seen in the news!

Where is Willie Timpson-Jessop?

Read the letter | 1:00 p.m. May 11, 2008

RE: Current Crisis in Texas: "a gross disregard for human life, women and children held hostage"

Other quotes:

"exterminate the FLDS" Interesting use of the word exterminate. I don't think it compares to how the word Exterminate was used against the LDS so many years ago.

"The abuses were continued by a systematic denial of due process in court" Do the little girls have any due process before being married off to some filthy pedofile?

"Parental rights were ignored" Do these kids even know who thier biological parents are?

"the violation of fundamental human rights, especially freedom of religion, is not something that takes place in foreign countries." Yes this is correct it happens at the YFZ Ranch to little girls, the women and children have no fundemental human rights in the FLDS.

"don't let the United States point the finger at other countries and at the same time ignore a total violation of human rights within our own boarders!" Look who is calling the kettle black.

Justice will be served when all children are sent back to thier biological parents and it is proven that no young girl was raped by old men.

Do you think this will happen?

Deserving | 1:10 p.m. May 11, 2008

This is the price you pay for being ACCUSED of child rape, just out of curiosity, how does one keep from being ACCUSED of something?

What was needed? | 1:13 p.m. May 11, 2008

Maybe after we strip them of their human rights and take everything they care about, they will stop being ACCUSED of such things. They should have known better than to go off and get ACCUSED of this in the first place.

To Deserving | 1:33 p.m. May 11, 2008

Don't hang around a group of people known for impregnating young girls.

Don't hang around pedophiles

Don't hang around rapists

Don't hang around drug dealers.

Don't hang around alcoholics.

Don't hang around with thieves.

It's all common sense.

HANG-OUT | 1:39 p.m. May 11, 2008

THE GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION FALLACY

historian | 2:18 p.m. May 11, 2008

This Willie is Willie Timpson.

Willie E. Jessop - Was Willie Timpson. His mother later married Fred Jessop, the bishop of the FLDS. When Fred was removed by Jeffs, Rulon Jeffs (when old and ill) ordained Willie to be the new bishop but also ordained him to many other things including apostle. Warren Jeffs told Willie to forget about the other things he was ordained to and just serve as bishop. Willie changed his legal name to Jessop. From jail, Warren Jeffs stated the Willie should have been the ligitimate prophet because of this ordination. It is possible that Willie is now the president of the FLDS with Wendell Nielsen and Merril Jessop as counselors.

FLDS Men Located? | 2:25 p.m. May 11, 2008

The men of the compound have now left to parts unknown, ie--Hilldale, Colorado City, Colonia Dublan MX, Colonia Juarez MX, or Bountiful BC.

However, apparently they have access to the web and are among the main contributors to this blog, in order to campaign for the release of their 'inventory'.

Ya right | 2:41 p.m. May 11, 2008

FLDS Men Located? | 2:25 p.m. May 11, 2008
Are you saying the FLDS of having Internet, thatï¿½s outrageous!!!

What a joke | 2:51 p.m. May 11, 2008

And the stupidity goes on...

The FLDS couldnï¿½t get the Governor to intervene, now theyï¿½re asking the President of the United States. You would think this would be an embarrassment to them. The elementary school education is readily apparent. The FLDS case is in the courts, where it belongs. The executive branch will not overstep into what is squarely judicial authority, so go ahead and hold your breath....just as long as you can.

Wild Bill | 2:55 p.m. May 11, 2008

I suppose all of the blog comments about the FLDS
and how they are pedophiles and rapist are based on them being convicted right.

Oh Im sorry I thought these people who write such
blantant lies about the FLDs had a brain. I am mistaken. The FLDS is a peace loveing relgious sect that has different beliefs that most. This belief system is not much different from other cultures around the globe (except Texas). However your
perception of them they have not been charged with any crime as of yet.

Growing up in a foster home I know first hand how great that was. Basically most children are treated
as slave labor with little or no parental love.

The FLDS parents do shelter there children. Yes they
shelter them from Homosexuals, drugs, television,
cable tv shows like Desperate housewives etc;.

Yes the FLDS ask's for the same rule of law that all others of this Country are entitled. The FLDS group
seems to be a focal point for our country to focus
upon the real issues that are eating away at the foundation of the Country that is OUR FREEDOM IS BEING PUSHED ASIDE BY OUR ELECTED OFFICALS.

WAKE UP.

Anonymous | 3:26 p.m. May 11, 2008

Clarification on Individual Hearings
A lot of media coverage has implied that parents will have another shot at challenging the state's evidence and fight for their custody at individual hearing scheduled to occur before June 5th. This is not true. The court has stated that these hearings will be limited to the status of each child's placement -- the issue of removing the children will not be revisted

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